Carroll College vs. Alvernia University

Comparable Facts

Compare Carroll College in Helena, MT with Alvernia University in Reading, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Alvernia University is larger than Carroll College based on total student enrollment (2,796 students vs. 1,156 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Carroll College is located in Helena, MT (Remote Town setting); Alvernia University is in Reading, PA (Small City setting).
• Carroll College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Alvernia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Carroll College 12:1; Alvernia University 14:1.

Carroll College vs. Alvernia University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carroll College or Alvernia University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Carroll College than Alvernia University ($25,575 vs. $28,645).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carroll College are 25.3% lower than at Alvernia University ($11,548 vs. $15,460).
• Alvernia University is 8.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Carroll College (about $3,516 more per year; $45,000.00 vs. $41,484.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.5% higher at Alvernia University than at Carroll College (about $3,516 more per year; $45,000.00 vs. $41,484.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Carroll College as at Alvernia University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carroll College students is 3.5% larger than aid received by Alvernia University students ($30,058 vs. $29,034).

Carroll College vs. Alvernia University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Carroll College or Alvernia University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Alvernia University and Carroll College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Alvernia University (1190) is 10 points higher than at Carroll College (1180).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carroll College 1050/1300; Alvernia University 1093/1286.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carroll College 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carroll College - Test optional; Alvernia University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carroll College Feb 28, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carroll College students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Alvernia University (3.41).
• Carroll College has a higher acceptance rate (70.9%) than Alvernia University (58.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Carroll College vs. 13.3% at Alvernia University.

Carroll College vs. Alvernia University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carroll College and Alvernia University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Carroll College's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Alvernia University's (53%).
• Graduates from Carroll College earn a median of about $2,700 more per year than Alvernia University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $44,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Alvernia University and Carroll College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Alvernia University and Carroll College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Carroll College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alvernia University students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 61%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.